Rehabilitation of Water Systems Transforms Lives in Gakenke District

The rehabilitation and extension works in Gakenke district commenced in May 2024 under the Stunting Prevention and Reduction Project (SPRP), funded by the World Bank through the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC). The project seeks to address persistent water shortages and expand access to safe drinking water for households and key social institutions, particularly health centers and schools. It focused on the rehabilitation and extension of the Mugamba I Water Supply System in Gashenyi Sector, alongside the reinforcement and upgrading of the Mataba–Gitovu Water Supply System in Muyongwe Sector.

Community Applauds Improved Access to Clean Water

Community members have expressed their joy and appreciation, crediting the Government of Rwanda and the visionary leadership of H.E. President Paul Kagame for prioritizing access to clean water and improving livelihoods. “We are very grateful to our leadership for ensuring water access. May our President live long,” said Mukarugema Bertilde, a resident of Taba Cell in Gashenyi Sector.

Mukabagema explained that before the project, residents had to walk long distances sometimes spending up to two and a half hours to fetch water from hillsides. Water was costly, at 250 Rwandan francs per jerrican, making it unaffordable for vulnerable community members. “Today, the water point is only two minutes from my home. I can easily access water for drinking, cleaning, and farming, and our children no longer miss school to search for water,” she added.

The project has also brought significant improvements to Kangomba Primary School in Gashenyi Sector, which recently gained access to clean water, enhancing hygiene and the learning environment. NZAMUKOSHA Alphonsine, the school’s accountant, noted that the school, which serves 616 students, previously faced acute water shortages. “Due to water scarcity, students used to have lunch at 2:30 p.m. Now they eat at noon. Cleaning the school was also very difficult. We are thankful to WASAC Group for connecting us to clean water, which will improve hygiene, sanitation, and the overall wellbeing of our students, enabling them to learn better,” she said.

Local leaders have also commended the project’s impact. Sengabo Jean de La Paix, in charge of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Gashenyi Sector, emphasized its wider benefits. “The project has raised clean water coverage from 67% to 89%, reduced waterborne diseases, and significantly eased the burden on women and children in the district. Residents now enjoy closer access to water, are motivated to install household connections, and local leaders have praised WASAC Group while pledging to safeguard the water infrastructure.,” he said.

In Gakenke District, the completed 31.8-kilometer water supply network is already delivering clean water to 7,437 residents in Gashenyi and Muyongwe sectors. Beyond this achievement, the district is also implementing the reinforcement and upgrading of the Bushyombori Water Supply System in Rusasa Sector, which is currently underway and expected to be completed in 2026. Once finished, the project will provide clean water to an additional 1,569 households, benefiting over 7,000 more residents and further improving access to water across the district.